October and chilly already! Today we shall have a chat with the man who brought our very own Newfoundland Vampires to life. Charles O'Keefe is a self published writer who puts a local spin on vampires. A great lover of music, gaming and animals he writes from the heart and that comes through in his novels.
So Charlie...
Q: Where are you from?
A: I'm from here, Newfoundland, born in St. John's but have lived almost all my life in CBS.
Q: Why do you do what you do?
A: I really love writing, I find it both relaxing and rewarding to engage in. I also love to receive feedback and talk to new people about my books and writing in general.
Q:Who/what inspires you? (In relation to your craft? )
A: I guess initially a friend of mine writing a book was an inspiration. Now it's my for my own sense of accomplishment and some recognition. I hope that my writing makes a difference in some people's lives and maybe even raises awareness of a few issues.
Q: What is your favourite part of your craft/process? What takes the longest?
A: When I initially plot out a book, that's a lot of fun. When I can clearly see in my mind what will happen in a scene/chapter and it just flies onto the page, that's another great moment that I really
get into.
The least favorite would be the editing afterwords, fixing grammar is tedious and taking out stuff I really like is never fun but it's all part of the process. For book 1 I spent more time editing than writing, for book 2 it's the promotional activities that take the most time.
Q: What do you think craft means to NL?
A: I think Newfoundlanders are very talented and that crafts are an important part of our culture. Whether it's a homemade sweater or the favorite dessert your grandmother made these are part of most people's childhood (who live here I mean). The fact that so many wonderful craftspeople live and work in Newfoundland speaks well our heritage/culture and the sense of pride Newfoundlanders have.
Q: Words to live by?
A: "Above all else, to thine ownself be true" Shakespeare
Q: Do you have any pets? What kind and what are their names?
A: I have two cats I love very much. Jude (male black cat) and Esther (oranage tabby) Jude is actually in my newest book :-)
A: Youngsters?
Q: Nope, no kids, I had a vasectomy too so I'm not having any. I enjoy my freedom, free time and my sleep too much for them. Being an uncle is plenty for me =)
Q: Favourite food?
A: I would pick oranges right off the vine. For homemade there is nothing I love more than pumpkin-chocolate chip/nut cookies (very hard to get right and almost no one makes them, hint! ;) )
Charlie will be in attendance at Some Good Market in Makinsons October 12 and in St. John's at Some Good Market Goes to Town - Happy First Anniversary October 19.
He can also be reached in the following ways:
http://www.charlesokeefe.com/
http://twitter.com/#!/TheNLVampire
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=826155483
thenlvampire@gmail.com
